New Executive Director The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center is pleased to welcome Corie Curtis as its new executive director. Corie jumped in at the deep end of the pool, joining us just four days before our August Birthday Celebration. To continue the analogy, the good news is that Corie knows how to swim. Her background includes over ten years of event planning, as well as having a background in strategic planning, budget development, implementing capital campaigns, and managing human resources. Corie was born and raised in Chautauqua County, and is thrilled to be back home and also thrilled to be working for the Center. “I’m excited and eager to help the Center continue to grow, and the Birthday Celebration was a wonderful way to be introduced to both the Center, and to the many Lucy fans that make our festivals such a success.” Posted 8/21/09   Raggedy Lucy and Desi Debbie Gardner, a Lucy-Desi staff member and volunteer, not only created but also donated the original "Raggedy Lucy and Raggedy Desi" dolls for our festival auction. The Lucy doll bear's a heart that reads "I Love Desi," and the Desi doll bear's a heart that reads, "I Love Lucy." The Lucy-Desi Center thanks Debbie for her generous donation of time and talent. (You can see Debbie in one of our festival pictures. She and another volunteer, Doreen Iula, are dressed in candy factory costumes with a caption that reads, "I wonder what's for dessert.") Posted 8/21/09   Lucy's Birthday Celebration '09 Lucy's Birthday Celebration '09, Komedy Kollege 202 "Harpo Marx." Diane Vincent (a.k.a. Lucy Ricardo) decided to show up at Komedy Kollege in character, complete character. Diane not only dressed as Harpo Marx, but she also taught the entire class as a mute. When she needed the classes' attention (approximately 30 students), she would wave her arms and toot her horn. Perhaps in time we'll refer to Diane as a.k.a. Lucy Ricardo and/or Harpo Marx! Posted 8/21/09   The Long, Long Trailer This model of the New Moon trailer used in the movie "The Long, Long Trailer" was made by Mimi & Co. Miniatures & More and is on permanent loan to the Lucy-Desi Museum. (The model is on exhibit in the Lucy-Desi Museum, "Lucy's Mercedes-Benz" gallery.) Posted 6/18/09   An Evening With Lucie Arnaz Lucie captured her audience the minute she walked out on stage in a black sequence, jazzy number accompanied by her brimming confidence and a warm smile. She then proceeded to belt out songs from 'S Wonderful to her father's Cuban "Lullaby." Lucie's performance not only received a standing ovation from Lucy-Desi fans but also kept positive reviews coming to the Center well into the following week. Posted 6/16/09 Family Reunion You may recognize a few faces here. Zo Ball, Keith Thibodeaux, Wanda Clark, Michael Stern and friends reminisce as they wait in anticipation for Lucie to begin her performance. Posted 6/16/09 "LET HER ROLLLLL..." Diane Vincent as "Lucy Ricardo" teaching Komedy Kollege to our Festival visitors. There were three choices for Komedy Kollege: "Job Switching," Komedy Kollege 101; "Lucy Does A TV Commercial," Komedy Kollege 102; and "Lucy's Italian Movie," Komedy Kollege 103. Our students had a great time learning improv comedy from Diane, and their public "reenactment" performance was enjoyed by the public. Posted 6/16/09 We promise - She didn't set it on fire Diane Vincent as "Lucy Ricardo" during the Brown Derby Dinner Theatre. Diane gave a much raved about performance not only as "Lucy Ricardo" but also as Diane Vincent in her own show. Posted 6/16/09 Congratulations! This note was written by Lucie Arnaz in the Guest Comments book that we keep in our museum. Lucie visited the new expanded Lucy-Desi Museum for the first time during the weekend of November 15th. Lucie and her guests were very impressed with not only the new museum but also the overall appearance of the Center. Posted 12/9/08 When Dreams Come True This note was written in the Guest Comments book by Elisabeth Edwards, Lucie Arnaz's assistant. Elisabeth was one of the three guests traveling with Lucie the weekend of November 15th. Posted 12/9/08 Rare Find! A longtime "I Love Lucy" collector from Pennsylvania recently shared a photograph of one of her prized possessions. It's a vintage 1950's tin of Ultra Gloss--the heavy duty no rubbing wax for floors! We can't help but wonder just how few of these have survived. Certainly a rare find! Posted 9/12/08 Lucy's 1972 Mercedes unveiled! Lucille Ball's 1972 Mercedes Benz was unveiled during the sneak preview of the newly expanded Lucy-Desi Museum on August 1. Lucy-Desi Museum Members were the first fans to have access to the new museum during a special "Members Only" Party at 8 am on Friday, August 1. For those members that couldn't be with us, here's your own "sneak peek" of the car! Posted 8/8/08 New Lucy-Desi Museum Sneek Peek! Next weekend (August 1-3) we'll be offering a sneak peek inside the new Lucy-Desi Museum! Until then--and just for members--here's what the interior looked like just a few weeks ago! (Yes, that is Lucy's Mercedes!) Posted 7/25/08 Lucy's Birthday Celebration Memorabilia Auction Items from the Estate of Vivian Vance will be a part of the Lucy-Desi Memorabilia Auction on Saturday, August 2 (in conjunction with Lucy’s Birthday Celebration). A sneak preview will be posted online soon. Until then, we thought Members would enjoy seeing this very early autographed photo of Vivian Vance that will be available at the auction! Posted 7/18/08 Thousands of photos cared for in the Lucy-Desi Center archives This photograph of Lucy with her children, Lucie, and Desi, Jr., was taken in Hawaii in May, 1963. It’s among the thousands of photos cared for in the Lucy-Desi Center archives. We’re sharing it here with our thanks for being a Lucy-Desi Museum Member! Posted 6/18/08 Museum Members! Next week we will be issuing an official news release about five-time Emmy winner, Ret Turner, and his recent design of custom Lucy-Desi Center neck ties and scarves which have now become part of the Visitor Services Staff attire. Before the news release, we wanted to share the news with YOU! Here's a photo of some of our staff modeling the Ret Turner originals! Posted 6/4/08 A.M. Buffalo returns for Lucy-Desi Days 2008 We’re thrilled to be welcoming WKBW, Channel 7, back to Jamestown for a live broadcast of their morning talk show, A.M. Buffalo, during Lucy-Desi Days 2008 on Friday, May 23. Last year, we caught “Lucy” (Diane Vincent) and “Ethel” (Rhonda Medina) hoping to be spotted by the TV crew. Just thought we’d share this fun photo with you. Here’s hoping you’ll be able to be with us later this month! Posted 5/2/08 Tom Watson Will Be Honored Lucille Ball historian Tom Watson will be honored during Lucy-Desi Days 2008 (May 23-25) in Jamestown, New York. Tom is not only the president of the We Love Lucy fan club and past organizer of the West Coast Loving Lucy conventions, but he is also the author of several Lucy-related books. The most recent issue of Lucy-Desi News (the newsletter exclusively for Lucy-Desi Museum Members) features a two-page interview with Tom. Here’s an excerpt from the interview that wasn’t included in the newsletter due to space limitations. Tom, you have authored or co-authored four books about Lucy. Could you share something special about each of them? Color Me Lucy I cannot really take much credit for this book. The real applause goes to Len Epstein, the artist who provided the illustrations. I Love Lucy: The Classic Moments This book was fun to do because it allowed me an opportunity to spotlight my favorite moments in the show… Everyone, of course, has his own favorites, and yours might be totally different from mine. I think my very favorite, believe it or not, has always been “Sentimental Anniversary.” These warm shows are what grounded the series for me and made the characters seem real. They are what separated Lucy from such other slapstick ladies as Martha Raye and Imogene Coca. The Quotable I Love Lucy Book I wrote a short introduction, but otherwise was just the editor on this book. The real authors are Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll Jr., Madelyn Pugh Davis, Bob Weiskopf and Bob Schiller – the best writers TV has ever known! Loving Lucy Ah, my “first born.” This book will always have a special place in my heart. Plus, Lucy liked it! When it was first published back in 1980, Lucy purchased nearly 100 copies, signed them, and sold them for charity. Posted 4/28/08   Before Kramer's Kandy Kitchen Years before “Lucy Ricardo” went to work at Kramer’s Kandy Kitchen, Lucille Ball toured a real candy factory. A fellow fan recently shared this image with us. We thought you’d enjoy seeing it to. Posted 4/6/08   Lucy-Desi Days 2008 We’re getting close to announcing the complete schedule of events for Lucy-Desi Days 2008! All details will be online later this month. But, for now, here’s a photo of one of our very special celebrity guests who has a great appreciation for Desi Arnaz (and happens to be a sitcom star in his own right!). His identity will be announced soon! Posted 3/16/08   Mattel Dolls Mattel has created a unique set of Kelly dolls inspired by Lucy and Ethel’s European romp as fashion icons. Complete with dresses made from burlap and horse feedbags for hats, this doll set is scheduled for release later this year. When more information is available, it will be featured in the Doll Section of our online store. Posted 3/06/08 Lucy & Desi’s 1950 Vaudeville Tour Two photographs documenting Lucille Ball in character as “The Professor” were recently donated to the Lucy-Desi Center. The images were taken by Gary Wagner while Lucy and Desi appeared at the Roxy Theatre in New York. Both photos are scheduled to be exhibited at the Desilu Playhouse this spring. Posted 3/01/08 From the Archives Among the countless photos being cared for in the Lucy-Desi Center archives is this early 1980’s snapshot of Lucy that was taken while visiting young fans at a hospital. We thought you’d enjoy seeing this rare snapshot. Posted 2/22/08 Sneak Peek: 2008 “I Love Lucy” Ornaments Museum Members! We wanted you to be the first to see five new “I Love Lucy” ornaments currently in production for release later this year! Expected to be available sometime summer, these five festive designs will be sold as a set. Check out our online store for details coming soon! Posted 2/08/08 Tickets, Tickets, Tickets! Because you’re are a member of the Lucy-Desi Museum, we want you to be the first to know that the Lucy-Desi Center has just been in contact with a very special guy who has been collecting studio audience radio and TV show tickets for over fifty years! Some of his Lucy-Desi related tickets will be featured in an exhibit in conjunction with Lucy-Desi Days 2008 this May. Tickets planned for the exhibit include a 1951 ticket to attend Desi’s radio show, Your Tropical Trip, 1954 and 1955 tickets to attend the filming of “I Love Lucy”, and a 1977 ticket that would have gained you admittance to Circus of the Stars (featuring our favorite redhead)! Here’s hoping we’ll see you in May! Posted 1/25/08 Two of Lucille Ball’s purses were incorporated into last year’s exhibit at the Lucy-Desi Museum. Several color snapshots of Lucy with the purses were included in the display. We recently installed a new exhibit in this particular showcase. But before we did, we photographed the purse display and are sharing it here for Museum Members. Posted 1/10/08 Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays from all of us here in Lucy's hometown, Jamestown, NY! Posted 12/21/07 Fond Farewell Word was received that the Lucille Ball exhibit at Universal Studios: Hollywood is closing permanently.  Pictured here outside the entrance is Diane Vincent, the “Lucy Ricardo” impressionist who can be found (in character) throughout the year at Universal Studios.  She is also a frequent festival guest in Jamestown. Posted 12/17/07 This photograph was discarded in the basement of an apartment building in Buffalo, New York! Look closely and you’ll see a sign to the left that welcomes Maureen O’Hara and Lucille Ball to Buffalo! Both stars stopped in Buffalo during a publicity tour for their 1940 RKO film, Dance, Girl, Dance. Can you spot Lucy in the photograph? She’s standing behind the lady with the flower hat who is seated in the front row. Three women to the left of Lucy is Maureen O’Hara. Posted 12/10/07 Super Password Find! The snapshot featured here is from Lucy’s 1988 appearance on the NBC game show, Super Password. In one installment of her weeklong appearance, Lucy sports the unique two-toned gold blouse seen in the photo. This blouse is among several “unknown” items that have been in storage in the archives of the Lucy-Desi Center for years. “Unknown” in that we have not been able to document to what public function these items can be attributed. We recently did some research on Lucy’s game show appearances of the 1980’s and were able to make the connection with this blouse. As Museum Members, we thought you’d be interested to know! Posted 12/3/07 Lucille Ball was the top female on TV Land and Entertainment Weekly's recent list of The 50 Greatest TV Icons!  (Lucy ranked #2 overall, with Johnny Carson capturing the top spot.)  What did #6 on the list—Carol Burnett—have to say about what the idea of a “TV icon” means to her?  "I get a little embarrassed saying [in response], 'I'll call somebody else one, I don't call me one.' I don't know if that's false modesty or what,” Carol Burnett said.  “I guess what comes to mind, if you want to do it in one word, might be longevity. And the fact that the audience can conjure up moments that they like to think about or talk about: 'Hey, do you remember the time Lucy set fire to her nose?' That's iconic."  Carol Burnett's entire interview can be found at www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20152957_20152962_20160519,00.html. Posted 11/26/07 Happy Thanksgiving, Museum Members!  At Members’ requests, here is a recipe we shared a few years ago. Lucille Ball’s Persimmon Cake Posted 11/19/07 Ingredients:  2 c. sugar 3 T. butter 4 c. flour 2 c. persimmon pulp 1 c. raisins 1 orange rind (grated)   4 t. soda 2 t. vanilla 2 c. chopped walnuts 1 c. chopped dates 1 c. milk 2 t. cinnamon 3 t. baking powder 2 eggs ½ t. allspice ½ t. clove ½ t. nutmeg  Directions: Cream sugar and butter.  Fold in remaining ingredients.  Mix well.  Bake in two greased loaf pans at 300 degrees Fahrenheit at 90 minutes.  Key:     c.=cup              T.=tablespoon                t.=teaspoon Platinum Edition Ethel Mertz “I Love Lucy” Santa Doll  Big news!  Mattel has just released a special edition doll for Lucy fans—the 14th in their “I Love Lucy” series—and this one is all about Ethel!   Inspired by the seldom-seen 1956 Christmas installment which finds Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel all dressed as Santa, this new doll showcases Ethel as the jolly old elf, himself!  (Not to be confused with last year’s Lucy Ricardo Santa doll from Mattel.)  Unlike the other “I Love Lucy” dolls in the Mattel series, this doll is part of Mattel’s “Platinum Label”.  Just 999 of this special doll have been created worldwide!  Each doll includes a numbered certificate of authenticity that is inserted inside the doll box.  Because of the scarcity of this edition, we will not offer these dolls to the general public.  Instead, the dolls in stock will only be made available to YOU—Lucy-Desi Museum Members!  We have received a very limited number (less than 80) of these dolls and we will not be able to place a re-order.  Mattel has already sold out!  Details on how the dolls will be made available to Museum members can be found by clicking here! Posted 11/12/07 Museum Members:   As we prepare for Halloween, here’s a story about some “witches” related to our favorite redhead which was published in an Australian magazine: We love Lucille Ball, born August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York…but not everyone loved her ancestors!  Lucy has some accused witches hanging from her family tree!  Lucy, was the 8th great-grand-niece of sisters Rebecca Nurse, Mary Easty, and Sarah Cloyce—who were all charged with witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.  Rebecca and Mary were hanged that year, along with 17 others (and one who was pressed to death).  Sarah was still in prison when the hysteria ended and, a decade later, she testified about the madness before a special court of inquiry in Boston. All those put to death were eventually cleared of wrong doing. Posted 10/29/07 The fourth in a series of downtown Jamestown Lucy-Desi outdoor murals is currently in production on the corner of Spring and 4th in Lucy's hometown! Like the other three, this one is being created by local artist Gary Peters. Here's just one more thing to see when you visit Lucy's hometown! Posted 10/22/07 Lucy-Desi Museum Members:   Earlier this month you were mailed the Fall 2007 edition of Lucy-Desi News--the newsletter for members of the Lucy-Desi Museum.  And, along with the latest news, we also included an opportunity to join the Lucy-Desi Center's Acquisitions Society.  The Acquisitions Society is a very special group of folks who make a one time gift of $2,500 to help care for the artifacts in the Center's archives and, to acquire new artifacts that may become available.    We'd like to extend a very special THANK YOU to Museum Members Linda Powers and Teri Grantz who have already responded to this appeal and are now Acquisitions Society Members, too! The plaque pictured here features Acquisitions Society Members through December, 2006.  Name plates have been ordered for Linda and Teri.  We invite you to join them.  And, again, thanks Linda and Teri for your support! Posted 10/15/07 Members! If you haven’t yet, you’ll soon see the Fall 2007 newsletter in your mail.  One of the articles in the new newsletter showcases some mementos from one of Lucy’s childhood friends, Mary Bratt.  Mary passed away in 1989.  Her family donated several personal items from Mary’s collection including this letter handwritten by the Queen of Comedy.  Neat, huh?! Posted 10/8/07 The necklace shown here will be one of the 10 Lucille Ball items up for bid at Christie's Magnificent Jewels Auction on Tuesday, October 16.  Suspending a detachable Maltese Cross, set with a central circular-cut diamond within a two-tiered diamond surround, extending graduated collet-set and baguette-cut diamond rays, with pear-shaped diamond terminals and pear-shaped diamond foliate clusters, to the gold rope and bar link neckchain. CLICK HERE to view all the items. Then click on "View eCatalogue". When the catalog is finished loading on your computer screen, enter "30" (without the quotation marks) in the area at the top that reads: "FC of 294". Posted 9/24/07 Photo Shoot Exclusive!  Jerry Maren, our headliner for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration 2007, is seen here with the “I Love Lucy” edition of Monopoly.  Jerry was one of several Lucy-Desi celebrities who took part in a photo shoot for future catalogs and sales flyers.  (Jerry appeared as a guest star in a 1970 episode of Here’s Lucy but he’s best remembered as the munchkin who hands Dorothy a lollipop in the original Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland.) Posted 9/10/07 Lucy On Your Bumper! Here’s a sneak peek of new “I Love Lucy” bumper stickers coming soon!  Just approved, these stickers will be available later this year at our online store.  Thought you’d enjoy a sneak peek! Posted 8/20/07 This just in!  This October, a special edition of the complete series of “I Love Lucy” will be released on DVD with some special “bonus” material including: -The 1953 “I Love Lucy” Movie -Lucy and Desi’s first TV appearance (a 1949 episode of the Ed Wynn Show) -Footage of the 6th Annual Emmy Awards -The lost “I Love Lucy” pilot -And…a full-color episode:  “Lucy Goes to Scotland”  Posted 8/13/07 On Thursday, August 2, four very special Lucy's Birthday Celebration guests got together to autograph a limited number of commemorative festival posters.   Wanda Clark (Lucy's longtime secretary) can be seen with Frank Gorey (Lucy's chauffeur) with Elizabeth Maren, and Wizard of Oz star (and Here's Lucy guest star) Jerry Maren!   A limited number of posters are still available.  Call 1-877-LUCY-FAN, extension 203.  Ask for item #2914.  It's just $35 (before  your membership discount!).   Posters include autographs of all of our VIPs from this year's August festival.  In addition to Wanda, Frank, and Jerry, you'll also receive autographs from Joe & Michael Mayer (toddler "Little Ricky"), Cindy De La Hoz (author of the new book, Lucy At The Movies), Shirley Mitchell ("Marion Strong" from "I Love Lucy"), and one of Lucy's favorite costume designers, Ret Turner!  Posted 8/7/07 Attention Lucy Fans and Doll Collectors, Too!  Two new “I Love Lucy” doll designs have just been unveiled! Similar to the porcelain baby dolls released by The Franklin Mint a few years ago, these two Lucy babies are made of vinyl and dressed in the trademark polka dot dress and the peasant girl grape stomping attire. Now Available.  Click here for details. Posted 7/30/07 Lucille Ball Fashion Show Sneak Peek! The plum chiffon evening gown Lucille Ball wore to the White House in 1986 will be one of many very recognizable wardrobe items featured at the Lucille Ball Fashion Show during Lucy’s Birthday Celebration (August 3-5).  The fashion show will take place on Sunday, August 5 and will be hosted by one of Lucy’s favorite costume designers, Mr. Ret Turner. Posted 7/23/07 Here’s a rare candid shot of the Queen of Comedy with the Queen of Country Music (and Dolly Parton’s sister, Rachel).  The fan who sent this photo asked if we could identify when and where this was taken.  It’s the first time we’ve seen this!  Any chance there’s a museum member out there that knows?  Email us at info@lucy-desi.com. Posted 7/16/07